Big Love
WELCOME TO WEEK 4
This month we’ve learned about the 10 commandments and how we are to love God and love people. This week we will finish the 10 commandments and see how we can love the people around us through out obedience to God. God wants us to live in harmony with others and He shows us how.
BIBLE STORY
How do you feel loved? What are some things other people do or say to you that make you know that you are loved? Look around the room and find the hearts posted, then read each heart and decide if love is being shown. print and attach the hearts around the room for your child to find and read. If they are unable to read, direct them to bring the hearts to you so that you can read them and they can decide if this action shows love.
God has given us these commandments not to keep us from having things, but to show us the best way to live. When we obey God and keep his commandments, we are living in a way that God knows is best. We can not only worship God our creator through our obedience, but we can also love the people around us. God’s laws are meant to bring us closer to Him and closer to those around us. Let’s read the last 3 commandments to see how God wants us to love others.
Read or listen to the Bible scripture Exodus 20:15-17
What is the next commandment? (Do not steal)
Why should we not steal from others?
What is the 9th commandment? (Do not give false witness against your neighbor)
Why should we not speak false things about others?
What is the 10th commandment? (Do not covet your neighbors things)
Why should we not covet?
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Keeping the 10 commandments can be challenging and we may not always know what to do. Then at other times we may not even realize we are keeping them, because we are simply loving God and others. Listen to the following scenarios and decide which of the 10 commandments are being followed.
Materials: printed scenarios
Alternate
This month we have learned all of the 10 commandments. They are guides for how we should live in communion with God and love others. Look at all of the commandments again and place these Commandments in two different groups. Showing love to God and showing love to others.
Materials: large sheet of paper, glue, scissors, old magazines
Independent activity:
We can show others how much we love them by sending them a not that says we care. Create your own greeting card with encouraging words. Make a few cards and then pass them out or mail them to a few people you love.
Materials: construction paper, crayons, various art supplies
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials:printed coloring sheet, crayons or other coloring utensils
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
What are some ways we steal from others?
How does stealing hurt others?
How does stealing hurt the thief?
When do we give a false witness against others?
When we give a false witness against someone else, how does that make others see us?
What are some things you may covet from others?
How can we keep from coveting others’ things?
What is the opposite behavior for stealing, giving a false witness and coveting?
How can you show others those things this week?
Practical Application at Home
The last few commandments list the things we should not do. They say Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, and do not covet your neighbor. God does not want us to do those things, but instead treat others in the direct opposite. Think of what the opposite of murder would be. Instead of taking life away, we give someone life. How could you give life to someone or bring joy to their day? Those are the things we should focus on doing for the people around us.
Think of the following commandments and then decide what the direct opposite of that would be. Then think of ways you can live it out with people around you this week. There are a few examples listed, but come up with some of your own as well. Then decide which things you will try to do for people in your life this week.
Do not murder….Give Life…bless your neighbor by bringing up their trash cans
Do not commit adultery…show your loved ones you care…leave notes sharing how much you love your family members
Do not steal…Give…bless a stranger by giving them a $5 gift card to buy a smoothie
Do not bear false witness…share words of affirmation…share a true story about how someone did something wonderful for you.
Do not covet your neighbor…count your blessings…share your blessings or gifts with someone who may not have as much.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?